IPL TEAM OF THE WEEK: Ajinkya Rahane and AB de Villiers stand out but who else is named in leading XI?

The Cricketer assesses the latest batch of displays from the Indian Premier League...

Ajinkya Rahane (Rajasthan Royals): It was impossible to take your eyes off the 30-year-old's eventful innings, for a catalogue of reasons. A mix-up saw Sanju Samson run-out without facing a ball before Rahane was dropped by Ishant Sharma are making a prosaic 16 off 18. Thereafter however he caught fire, smashing 89 from the next 45 balls to go to an unbeaten 105 - his highest T20 score.

Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings): The Australian produced the perfect repost to any questions over his role at the top of the Chennai batting order with a timely contribution in the win over the Sunrisers. Though unable to go to what would have been a seventh century in the format, the manner in which he dismissed the threat of Rashid Khan - four boundaries came from the spinner's last two overs - was particularly impressive.

AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore): RCB produced a batting display which underlined the talent they possess in their line-up. De Villiers and Marcus Stoinis pushed them to 202 for 4 against Kings XI, which in the end proved too much. Granted, his opponents laid the platform for the destructive innings with some woeful death bowling, but the South African showed he maintains the patience and the talent to take advantage. His 82 from 44 balls included seven sixes during a late barrage which secured victory.

Manish Pandey (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Jonny Bairstow's failure against Chennai allowed Pandey an opportunity to finally make a mark in this year's IPL. Though eventually overshadowed by Watson in the chase, his 83 from 49 balls at least gave the Sunrisers hope. He went to back-to-back half centuries against the Royals with another knock at a strike-rate of 169 but once again it proved in vain.

Dinesh Karthik (Kolkata Knight Riders): Though unable to drive the KKR innings to a total that would trouble the Royals, his unbeaten 97 was as blistering as it was necessary. As his teammates flattered to deceive around him, the Indian came to the fore, hitting 50 runs in the last five overs. Sending Jofra Archer's final two IPL deliveries for six was a particularly special moment, even if it couldn't tee up a victory.

Nicholas Pooran (Kings XI Punjab): In a week where substantial middle-order batting contributions were few and far between the 23-year-old produced the most eye-catching in Kings XI's failed chase against RCB. Pooran hit five sixes to cause a scare in his innings of 46 but he could not keep pace with De Villiers' earlier fireworks.

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Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals): One of the best scores in a chase of the tournament so far by a player who had flattered to deceive. After a considered start to the innings, Pant struck 78 from 36 balls including four sixes - the final one of which delivered victory with four balls to spare. His spectator role for this summer's World Cup is increasingly baffling.

Umesh Yadav (Kings XI Punjab): Another entry from RCB's win over Kings XI but this time it came with the ball. Umesh took 3-36 from his four overs to help restrict the Kings XI chase. Chris Gayle was the first victim in the fourth over and though Ravi Ashwin and Hardus Viljoen followed, the 11 dot balls from the medium pacer proved equally as key.

Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals): Victory over the Sunrisers was underpinned by a fine display in the field by the 27-year-old. Unadkat took two wickets with the ball - including a caught and bowed to get rid of Deepak Hooda - and two further catches in the outfit to ensure his side only needed 161 to win in Jaipur.

Varun Aaron (Rajasthan Royals): Left out in the cold for over three weeks by the Royals, he made up for lost time with a key contribution both with the ball and in the field. Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill were back in the shed with only 31 on the board, while his catch to dismiss Nitesh Rana and involvement in the run-out of Sunil Narine further slowed the KKR innings. It should at least keep him active for the final throws of the competition.

Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians): A second four-wicket haul for the Sri Lankan helped skittle Chennai for just 109. Though he did oust Watson, his prowess again came at the death, dismissing Harbhajan Singh and Mitchell Santer in the 18th over to finish with 4-37.